Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - Christians in the Indian state of Orissa fear more episodes of violence, after a series of attacks on churches at Christmas. Prospect are not good, local Church sources told Fides.
A report issued by the National Commission for Religious Minorities on the episodes of violence in December confirmed that the action was “premeditated and organised”, and could be repeated. The report says despite threats and intimidation nothing has been done to protect Indian citizens of Christian faith who lived days of terror and saw their homes and places of worship destroyed.
“Hatred and division are the flag of extremists gangs o which incite to death and destruction, diffusing stereotypes and spreading violence. What has happened to secular, democratic and pluralist India where all citizens enjoyed equality and freedom", the source said noting that so far no one has been arrested for the violence perpetrated a month ago. “Something must be done to stop organised violence in Orissa”, the source said.
After attacks from 23 - 28 December in Kandhamal, central Orissa, the Bishops of India raised the matter at various levels A delegation of the Catholic Bishops' Conference met the president of India Shrimati Pratibha Patil and presented a memorandum calling for respect for civil rights. Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of Buhubaneshwar, capital city of Orissa, appealed for help for the victims of violence, which is leading to a “human tsunami ”, according to Cardinal Telesphore Toppo Archbishop of Ranchi and president of the Bishops' Conference.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that humanitarian organisations such as Caritas cannot reach many of the affected areas and more than 3,000 Christians from various villages in the district live in refugee camps.
The total result of the violence was: 71 churches, many of them Catholic churches, more than 500 homes and 100 properties or businesses destroyed and torched. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/1/2008 righe 386 parole 368)
